Troubleshooting Replacement Shock Absorber Spring TK71-758-00

Question:

I purchased 2 of these. Returned the first as it was stiff as heck to compress, and when I let go it needed assistance decompressing. As I pulled on it, I heard clicking coming from the chamber. Is this normal? It would seem to me that while accelerating from a stop the trailer would clink back as the shock absorber was being stretched. This seems counter productive as to what the shock absorber is intended for. Can you offer any insight? Im hesitant to install, but might anyway without hooking up brake lines and check the operation of the actuator manually compress with a ratchet strap and let it decompress naturally or assist it just thought it weird that i hear a clicking uneven operation of the shock absorber when decompressing.

asked by: Rick

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Replacement Shock Absorber Spring Kit for Titan/UFP Brake Actuators # TK71-758-00 is supposed to move slightly, and should be able to move by your own force. To test the shock absorber, it should measure 6-1/2" long when retracted, and 8" long when extended. If you install it and it still makes a loud clunk noise, then it could either be defective, installed incorrectly, or the wrong size chock absorber for your brake actuator.

expert reply by: Andrew N